Reviews & Ratings for the Seabass

The controversial tanker 'Seahorse' has made its way into Venezuelan waters as of November 23, after a series of strategic course changes. Previously employed in transporting naphtha from Russia, the vessel altered its path when confronted by the U.S. destroyer USS 'Stockdale,' which was deployed to the Caribbean for heightened anti-narcotics operations. The USS 'Stockdale' entered the Caribbean region in September to bolster efforts against drug trafficking. The 'Seahorse' set sail from Matanzas on November 9, only to reconsider its route on November 14 due to the presence of the USS 'Stockdale.' After this encounter, the tanker attempted to approach Venezuelan waters twice—north of Aruba—on November 16 and 17, each time retreating after being intercepted by the destroyer. Following several days of maneuvering in international waters, it appears the 'Seahorse' has finally arrived at the oil loading facility at Puerto José over the weekend. Flying a flag of Comoros, although Equasis has stated this information is inaccurate, the tanker has faced sanctions from both the EU and the UK as of 2025 due to its violation of sanction laws. As a member of the shadow fleet, the 'Seahorse' is noted for its frequent name changes and flags. Furthermore, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) has indicated that the vessel has been involved in trade between Iran and Venezuela, with both Russia and Iran backing Venezuela's need for vital distillate products essential for its oil operations.

In a significant maritime development, the sanctioned Russian tanker 'Seahorse' altered its course away from Venezuela after encountering the US Navy warship USS 'Stockdale' on November 13, 2025. The USS 'Stockdale' strategically positioned itself near the Venezuelan coastline, prompting the tanker to abandon its intended fuel delivery to Caracas. Following this encounter, the Seahorse redirected its route towards Cuba, while the US destroyer continued patrolling near Venezuelan territorial waters en route to Puerto Rico. Notably, the Seahorse has attempted to approach Venezuela on two separate occasions since the incident but has turned back both times, currently remaining idling in the Caribbean. This turn of events raises crucial questions regarding Washington's capacity to influence Moscow's energy shipments to Venezuela amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Formosa has finalized a significant transaction involving their two LR1 tankers, the 'Formosa Falcon' (IMO: 9327811), built in 2005 in Japan, and the 'Fpmc P Alpine' (IMO: 9323535), constructed a year earlier in 2004. The company has sold both vessels to Winson for a combined total of USD 7 million. This sale comes after an unsuccessful bid to sell the ships to a Chinese buyer for USD 8.2 million. The decision marks a strategic move for Formosa as they continue to adapt their fleet management.